Philippians 2:1–11
He Emptied Himself
The big idea
The deepest Christology in the New Testament is deployed to settle a disagreement between two women in a small church.
Context you need before you preach it
Verses 6–11 are widely regarded as an early Christian hymn Paul is quoting. Whether or not that is right, the passage is the most concentrated statement of the incarnation in his letters.
The reason he introduces it is startlingly ordinary: the Philippians have a unity problem, and by chapter 4 he names two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who cannot agree. This towering theology is applied pastoral medicine.
The outline
Be of the same mind
vv. 1–4Nothing from rivalry or conceit. Count others better. Look to their interests — which is the concrete instruction the hymn will then ground.
Have this mind, which was in Christ
v. 5The hinge. What follows is not an abstract doctrine lesson; it is the pattern being commended.
The descent
vv. 6–8Did not grasp, emptied, took the form of a servant, humbled, obedient to death — even death on a cross. Seven downward steps.
Therefore God highly exalted him
vv. 9–11The ascent is God's work, not his own. The direction of the whole passage is down, then lifted.
Application
- The route to exaltation in this passage runs entirely downward, and the lifting is done by someone else.
- This theology exists here to fix a relational problem. Whatever disagreement you are in, this is the pattern.
- "Count others better" is not a feeling to generate; it is a way of treating people.
Where preachers go wrong on this text
- Preaching verses 6–11 as pure doctrine and dropping the "therefore" that makes it applied.
- Getting lost in the kenosis debate. Name the question briefly and move on; most congregations need the pattern more than the technical discussion.
- Missing that Paul is addressing a real, named conflict in a small congregation.
Other ways to structure it
The outline above is one defensible reading, not the only one. If it does not fit the congregation in front of you, these are legitimate alternatives:
- Preach it as a conflict-resolution sermon, which is its stated purpose.
- Preach the seven downward steps as the structure.
- Preach it at Christmas as an incarnation text with no nativity scene in it.
Illustrations that fit this text
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean that Jesus "emptied himself"?
The Greek kenoo means to empty or make nothing of. The historic mainstream reading is that he did not divest himself of deity but took on the form of a servant — adding humanity and veiling glory rather than subtracting divinity. Traditions differ on the details; state your position briefly and keep the passage's pastoral aim in view.
You have preached this passage before
Probably more than once, and the earlier version had a line in it you would want back. Transcribe your sermons and every text you have ever preached becomes searchable by reference — $19/month for as many as you preach, and the first one is free.
More from Philippians
Preaching resources for Philippians — themes, famous chapters, and background for the whole book.